House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2019, with 50% of the vote.
Natural Resources October 21st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my hon. colleague that the protests he is referring to concern shale gas, which is a provincial jurisdiction.
All Canadians enjoy the right to demonstrate peacefully. However, you can rest assured that in the presence of improvised explosive devices, burnt out cars and illegal firearms, we will protect Canadians and ensure that people are held responsible under the law.
Fighting Foreign Corruption Act June 18th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for my hon. colleague.
In his speech he said that there were three types of politicians: those who participate in corruption and those who are unaware—of course everyone is against corruption—but those who know it exists and who do nothing are the worst.
I would like to know how concerned my hon. colleague is about the actions of his leader who knew about corruption in Laval for 17 years yet did nothing. Not only did he do nothing for 17 years, but he also denied that someone had attempted to bribe him.
Does that not correspond to the third definition he just mentioned?
Veterans Affairs June 11th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Mississauga East—Cooksville for his question about appointments to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, something that affects our veterans. We want people who have military experience.
Today, I am proud to announce that for the first time in the history of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, the vice-chair position will be held by a veteran. Retired Lieutenant-Commander Owen Parkhouse has over 25 years of remarkable military service and experience, having worked in the operational stress injury clinics across Canada.
That is what veterans have been calling for and that is what this government, with its great caucus members, is delivering.
Veterans Affairs June 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Oakville for reminding us that the reason we are able to have debates in the House is that on June 6, 1944, 14,000 Canadians landed in Normandy.
Five thousand of our Canadian soldiers never returned. There are still some surviving veterans of that campaign, and we can take this opportunity to thank them.
Thank you for democracy. Thank you for freedom. Thank you for having fought against Nazism and the violation of human rights. Thank you to our veterans.
Veterans Affairs May 29th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Chatham-Kent—Essex for his question about Canadian peacekeeping veterans.
Today I had the opportunity to have lunch with representatives of peacekeeping veterans organizations to express our government's gratitude for their service.
Today, on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, let us salute the thousands of Canadian Armed Forces personnel who served under a UN banner to defend freedom and the values we hold dear. Few words can express our shared appreciation and respect for each and every Canadian UN peacekeeping veteran for the great things they have accomplished.
Lest we forget.
Canadian Museum of History Act May 22nd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, there can be no doubt that the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages introduced a very promising bill for Canada, a bill about a Canadian museum of history that the City of Gatineau, historians and the museum's architect wholeheartedly support. This museum will facilitate a better understanding of our history.
My question is very simple. Why refuse to acknowledge Canadian history when conventional wisdom tells us that a population that does not know its history cannot know where it is going? Why are the New Democrats being so stubborn? That is so disappointing. Why are they stubbornly refusing to acknowledge Canadian history? Is the member ashamed of her history? I, personally, am proud of the history of the Canadian people.
Veterans Affairs May 9th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Wetaskiwin and all members of the House for supporting Korean War veterans day in the House.
I also want to thank the member for raising the question of mental health for our whole society and more specifically, veterans.
There were three announcements about partnership agreements this week. The first is with Ryerson University, where 150 clinicians will provide adapted care for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Another partnership is with St. John Ambulance to provide animal therapy for our veterans in long-term care. The third agreement, with Can Praxis, in the hon. member's riding, will offer equine therapy to veterans with operational stress injuries.
Veterans Affairs May 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, this morning, I was pleased to announce the launch of Mental Health Week and the new PTSD Coach Canada app. It is a mobile app designed to help veterans and Canadian Armed Forces personnel to identify and manage their symptoms of mental health conditions.
The mobile PTSD app is free and available for Apple and Android products.
I was also pleased to announce a new initiative, involving 140 clinicians across Canada, to adopt new therapies designed to efficiently treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
With this kind of initiative, we are standing shoulder to shoulder with our veterans, their families and Canadian society.
Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1 May 2nd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, there are important needs for the veterans community and their families, and we are always striving to improve our program. That is exactly what we would do in this budget.
I can assure the member that we will not do like the Liberals did, which was to cut those programs, to cut the funeral and burial program. This is the last thing Canadians would expect us to do. Therefore no, we are not doing that. We are not cutting this program.
Instead of speaking of large numbers, let us see what the impact would be for a deceased veteran who had a service-related injury. We are proposing to raise the maximum funeral services rate from $3,600 to $7,376 on top of continuing to provide for the full cost of burial. This means that if a Canadian who has a service-related injury is dying and is in need, this government will cover funeral and all burial costs. This is in the budget. This is why I invite my colleague to support the legislation.
I would like to comment further on the performance and the recognition of the veterans community for the harmonization of our program, but I will share the time with some colleagues.
Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1 May 2nd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, it is really simple. It is three points that gather to the same reality: economic prosperity and taking care of our families and our veterans. This budget is all about that.
Clearly, this is simple: first, do we support investment in our country’s infrastructure? I think we do. We need it. That is obvious.
Second, do we want to stimulate economic prosperity and job creation by ensuring that our young people have the training they need to secure the jobs that will enable them to respond to the labour shortages we are facing? Yes.
Third, does it make sense to do what is appropriate for veterans, and harmonize all our programs? As a nation, should we not offer a decent funeral and burial to a veteran who has died from service-related injuries? It is the least we can do.